Zune Software, Music, Movies and Videos Downloads

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How to Set-Up your Zune MP3 Player?
To start using your Zune, first get the latest version of the Zune software for your computer from www.zune.net/setup or here. Then charge your Zune and load it up with your music, videos, pictures, podcasts, and friends.
Once done, connect your Zune to your computer. Use a rear USB port if possible for the best charge. You can connect it using the sync cable (supplied with your Zune) or the Zune dock.You might need to wait a few minutes after plugging in your Zune while the battery charges enough to...

Your entertainment Everywhere
Zune brings you entertainment anywhere you are, in exciting new ways.
System recommendations
To get the most out of Zune, your computer should meet system requirements:
a 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
Broadband Internet connection
A wi-fi network is necessary for you to wirelessly sync your Zune to your computer.
*The Zune software won't work on versions of Windows...

It seems a lot of people have been checking out the Zune for the past couple years, and now everyone got a new Zune for Christmas! If you happened to get a Zune instead of an iPod, you will probably need to read the manual to get everything setup. You could go the standard route and head to www.zune.net/setup,or be smart and read our guide right here. (A lot of people were having trouble with the standard zune.net/setup instructions.)

(Beforehand, it would help to have a Zune with a freshly charged battery, a PC, a sync cable, and a Windows Live ID, which could be from a hotmail account.)

Zune Setup Step #1: Download Software.

OK, so you still have to go to www.zune.net/setup to download the latest software that you’ll install on your computer.

Zune Setup Step #2: Install Software.

Now, install the software. Just click the installation icon, accept the license agreement, and it gets going.

Zune Setup Step #3: Connect the Zune.

Here comes the tricky part – getting your Zune connected and configured to work with your computer. Start by connecting your Zune to your PC with the included sync cable (when prompted.) Then sync the Zune with the library on your PC. (Just follow a few simple prompts and click the recommended configuration.)

Zune Setup Step #4: Personalize your Zune.

“Tag” the Zune with your screen name and connect it to your Windows Live account (possibly your “@hotmail.com” email.)

Zune Setup Step #5: Buy stuff.

Once your Zune is synced to your computer with the software, then you can load the Zune store, buy Microsoft points, and download music from Zune Marketplace.

* If you get errors or your system crashes during the install, try uninstalling and starting over. Unfortunately these problems happen too often with Microsoft products…

Zune software is a digital media manager for your computer. Play and organize your collection, rip and burn CDs, create playlists, sync them to your device… even stream music, movies, podcasts, and pictures over your home wireless network.

The Zune software is the hub for all your entertainment. Enjoy, manage, or share your media in one place. With powerful music discovery tools like Smart DJ and Mixview, you’ll revisit old favorites or discover new ones.

Shop Zune Marketplace for millions of songs, videos, podcasts, and TV shows. Search by artist, browse by genre, or choose from over a thousand hand-picked playlists. Found what you like? Just click and buy individual songs, albums, and videos.

Zune unites wireless MP3 players, PC software, an online Marketplace and a Social network together in the ultimate entertainment service.

According to Microsoft, the most up-to-date firmware version is 4.5 (114) for the Zune HD, which replaces the original player firmware that ships on the device, 4.0 (356). In the case of the Zune 4, 8, 16, 30, 80, and 120 players, the most current player software version is 3.3, which provides compatibility with Zune 4.2. Version 3.3 was primarily a bug fix release and was released on January 26, 2010.

The operating system for the Zune devices is based on the Windows CE kernel for ARM architecture and uses a distribution similar to the Portable Media Center found on the Gigabeat S. Zune’s native file compatible formats are:

JPEG for images;

WMV (Used by Zune Marketplace)

MPEG-4 – supported on all models except the Zune 30 device

H.264 – supported on all models except the Zune 30 device

Avi video (Xvid) support is included on the Zune HD (firmware versions 4.5 and later).

MP3 (used by Zune Marketplace)

AAC (unprotected) not AAC (.m4a)

WMA Pro (2-channel)

WMA Standard (used by Zune Marketplace)

WMA lossless

Any formats not compatible with an individual device are automatically transcoded into a compatible format.

The graphical user interface (GUI) (called the “twist interface” by Microsoft) has sections for music, videos, pictures, social, radio, podcasts, marketplace, games and settings. It is said to provide “two-dimensional navigation” for scrolling through items with its directional pad. In the music section, users can add songs to a quick playlist without reconnecting to the desktop software. In the picture section, the background can be customized using any image stored on the device (for viewing) as wallpaper. In the radio section, users can receive and play FM radio internally, with North American, Japanese, and European tuning ranges, and display Radio Data System information (usually artist and song) when available. When artist/song information are available, the device can search for the song in the Zune Marketplace for download or purchase. In the social section, users can broadcast the user’s profile and recent activity to others nearby.

The first updates to the firmware added sharing features (send, community, list nearby Zune users) as described in FCC filings. Firmware 1.1 allowed the device to inherit sharing capabilities described by codename Pyxis. Early firmware releases patched software bugs. About a year later, the much anticipated 2.2 firmware release added support for DVR-MS (Media Center Recorded TV) files, lossless playback, added wireless syncing, and GUI interface improvements.

Zune supports the Windows Media DRM digital rights management system, which is not compatible with other DRM systems and is not part of the PlaysForSure platform or program. Multimedia content is transferred through Media Transfer Protocol (MTP); however, its proprietary MTP extensions (“MTPZ”) place an interoperability barrier between the Zune and previous MTP-based software.

The standard Zune devices come with basic headphones and a proprietary USB data cable. The Zune 30 comes with these items as well as a carrying bag, and the Zune 80 model has upgraded “Zune Premium” headphones. Accessories sold separately include:

The first Zune model, the Zune 30, was released in the United States on November 14, 2006, featuring a capacity of 30 gigabytes, FM radio, and a 3 inch screen. The Zune 30 was initially available in black, brown or white. Retail packages contained a pair of basic headphones, a carrying case, USB cord, and a software CD.

The Zune 80 was announced on October 2, 2007, along with the smaller Zune 4 and Zune 8 to compete with Apple’s iPod nano line. These were to be known as the second generation of Zune devices. The Zune 80 featured a 3.2 inch screen, while the Zune 4 and 8 come with an 1.8 inch screen. Both come with a new touchpad-style input device (“squircle”, as fans called it) and new software. Additional file support for H.264 and MPEG-4 formats was also included, whereas the older Zune 30 requires these formats to be transcoded to WMV prior to sync. The ability to sync wirelessly (automatically if connected to a power supply), podcast support, and an upgraded song-sharing licensing are now available on all models. The new software also allows a Zune device to communicate with other Zune devices to share pictures and songs. A free firmware update added the new software features to the original Zune 30, and was released on November 13, 2007. The Zune 80 came bundled with a USB connection cord and premium headphones. The Zune 4 and 8 come with a USB connection cord and basic headphones.

The Zune 30, the original Zune music player, has a 30 GB hard drive, 3 inch screen, and a simple directional pad for menu navigation. The second generation of Zune devices includes the Zune 4, 8, and 80 and. The Zune 4, and 8 are smaller in size and have 4 GB, and 8 GB of flash memory, respectively. The 80 GB Zune acts as a replacement for the Zune 30: it is thinner and lighter than the original. All second generation Zunes have a Zune Pad instead of the original directional pad that was included on the Zune 30. Microsoft released an upgrade for all Zune models, including the Zune 30, to the second generation software/firmware.

On May 26, 2009 Microsoft announced the Zune HD, the first touch screen Zune. The Zune HD has HD Radio and the ability to display video in High Definition through a docking station (sold separately). The screen is multi-touch enabled and uses gestures such as swiping and pinching throughout the player. The device comes with 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB of flash memory. The screen is OLED, 3.3 inches, and has a 480×272 16:9 resolution. Also included are WiFi, a custom Internet Explorer browser, and an accelerometer.